An estimated 3,000 visitors — and their cars — are coming to the campus next Friday, May 11, for the second of two Decision UC Davis events, this one for prospective transfer students.

The influx will put pressure on parking — and campus officials are advising faculty and staff to be prepared. “We realize there may be some inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding and support for this important campuswide endeavor,” said Fred Wood, vice chancellor of Student Affairs.

The visitor estimate includes 1,200 prospective students, who have until June 1 to submit statements of intent to register, and family members and friends.

The visitors are being directed to the west entry parking garage and Lot 25 (between the Activities and Recreation Center and the Segundo Dining Commons). Overflow parking will be directed to Lots 40 and 41 (across Hutchinson Drive from the west entry garage), Lot 30 (behind the Rec Pool) and Lot 47 (along La Rue Road south of the Tercero housing area).

Registration opens at 7 a.m. and early-bird tours begin at 7:30 a.m. at Bixby Field west of the Segundo Dining Commons. The Decision UC Davis program is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. in The Pavilion at the ARC.

Care to volunteer at commencement?

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter has invited staff members to volunteer for undergraduate commencement, “to help make the ceremonies run smoothly and provide an enjoyable atmosphere for our graduates and their guests.”

According to a memo, staff will be compensated for their participation with compensatory time or overtime pay, if applicable, according to university policy and collective bargaining agreements.

People can indicate their willingness to help via this online registration system, which includes a list of commencements and their dates and times. Replies are requested by May 14.

More information is available from Jean Wigglesworth at Ceremonies and Special Events, (530) 754-2011 or jwigglesworth@ucdavis.edu.

Child care, breastfeeding support spared budget ax

The child care and breastfeeding support programs will be spared budget reductions in 2012-13, the campus announced.

Vice Chancellor John Meyer of Administrative and Resource Management had recommended no further reductions for the programs, based on analysis and review by the Child Care and Breastfeeding Support Program Task Force. Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter approved Meyer's recommendation.

The campus convened the task force in 2010-11 to evaluate whether the child care and breastfeeding support budgets should be continued and at what level.

While keeping the budgets as is for 2012-13, the provost acknowledged that operating costs will inevitably increase even as funding remains flat or declines. Sources include grants, Student Housing and departments.

The provost also noted concern that the benefits for the most part help a disproportionally small number of students, faculty and staff. For example, the task force estimated that 40 students receive child-care subsidies of approximately $6,000 each.

The campus will explore program changes and other strategies to hold down costs. Such strategies may include different distribution methodologies for child-care subsidies, pursuit of new grants and other funding sources, and contract renegotiations with program partners.

Summer enrichment camps for grades 4-12

Summer enrichment camps offered by the School of Education in conjunction with Campus Recreation are back — with the fourth- through 12th-grade programs to be held on the Davis campus and, for the first time, in Woodland.

• Grades 4-8 at UC Davis — Beginning and Advanced Robotics, Star Navigators, Animation Maniacs, Sky High Engineering (aerospace and astronomy), Adventures in Science and Engineering, and Design and Innovate

• Grades 4-6 and 7-8 at Lee Middle School, Woodland — Where Math Meets Life and Science You Can Eat

• High school at UC Davis and Pioneer High School, Woodland — College Essay Development, College Selection and Admission Prep, and On My Own

More information is available online. Questions? Contact Andee Press-Dawson, apressdawson@ucdavis.edu.

Katehi to deliver Vanderhoef International Lecture

International House announced that Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi will give this year's Vanderhoef International Lecture, the third annual.

Katehi became UC Davis’ leader in 2009, succeeding the chancellor for whom the lecture series is named, Larry Vanderhoef.

The 2012 program is scheduled for Monday (May 7) at I House, 10 College Park, across from Howard Way at the north edge of the campus. A reception begins at 6:30 p.m. and the lecture at 7. Admission is free and open to the public.

"International House is pleased to have Chancellor Katehi, who was an international student at UCLA, delivering this talk," said Elisabeth Sherwin, I House executive director.

For more information, call Sherwin, (530) 753-5007.

TGFS Guess the Weight

Twenty-one people, a double-decker bus and two Eggheads: Guess how much they weigh? See the photo, find out how to enter this Thank Goodness for Staff contest.